Letters from the issue of Thursday, April 24, 2008

A happy conservative: I normally plow past the typical New Times articles bashing President Bush and Sheriff Joe Arpaio (not because I like them, so much as I already know why I hate them). And I feared the direction that your eco-chic articles would go ("Green Fatigue," New Times staff, April 17).

Until I started reading.

As a conservative, I found your writers to be right on. And I've had a history of involvement in our local environmental movement (whether with the PIRGs or Earth First!). I was truly impressed by the logic presented. Go figure that changing some light bulbs in your house won't exactly save the environment!

I'm just glad that some magazine had the guts to say it, even if it's one that I don't always agree with.

Water issues, development, coal, and cattle ranching are destroying our local environment, and as long as people are driving (even a Prius) on tires made out of oil, we have to face that we have a major dependency on fossil fuels.

So, until we are a utopian society living off electricity from solar and wind power for our cars and homes, while focusing on living with native plants instead of imported, and moving into downtown areas instead of the suburban nightmare, we need to (at least) tap into solar energy that's abundant here and use renewable fuels in our cars.

Otherwise, if you think we're experiencing high temperatures now, wait until the Southwest is engulfed in forest fires and we've run out of water to put them out. We'll see how hot it gets.Garyn Klasek, Phoenix

BAD MEDICINE?

What's inaccurate, Nicole?: I am appalled by New Times' article that stated: "Arizona's homeopathic board is the second chance for doctors who may not deserve one." The article ("Dr. Loophole," John Dickerson, April 10) is a misrepresentation of alternative medicine.

The issue is not homeopathic medical allowances, but rather ethical practices of the state of Arizona. I am saddened by the lack of integrity of the editor in allowing inaccurate and opinion-based publications to be released and stated as facts.Nicole Cain, Chandler

Please go after lawyers, too!: The "Dr. Loophole" article brings to mind that it would be a public service to do a series on lawyers and the damage they have done to thousands of lives.

More and more people are thrown into Arizona prisons or are coerced into pleas, losing their right to vote and have a voice, or get a job. All those sitting in prison had lawyers.

It's time the lawyers were held to the same standards as a doctor or nurse, and not protected by immunity and a bar association that does nothing. At least the medical boards take immediate action.

Now that you are exposing medical professionals for their failures, we hope you do an in-depth series on the damage both prosecutors and defense attorneys have caused.

Those living in Arizona are paying a huge price in both in human misery and tax dollars for the damage of a broken legal system that no one is trying to fix. Lawyers here just keep collecting the huge fees, with no accountability.

Lawyers, with many bar complaints, are still seen in courtrooms, year after year. This is a serious issue that needs to have sunlight shine harshly on it.Name withheld by request

VEGGIE TALE

And enjoy great food!: Thanks so very much for an informative article ("Taste Maker," Michele Laudig, April 3). Many people are horrified when they learn the hidden realities of modern agribusiness but assume that being vegan means a life of deprivation.

But places like Green, as well as new vegetarian meats (like Boca Burgers, Tofurky Deli Slices, Gimme Lean Ground "Beef" and "Sausage") show that it isn't the case. Each one of us can boycott factory farms and choose compassion — and enjoy great food!Matt Ball, via the Internet

Looking for positive changes: Special thanks to the lovely Michele Laudig for profiling someone truly representative of the new vegetarian movement in the United States.

Although we are not perfect and there exists some level of hypocrisy in any way of life, new vegetarians make a sincere effort to positively change the environment around them, starting with the internal. This lifestyle is often accompanied by misunderstanding, jeers and digs from peers. Plus savory temptations that make it easy to forget what one eats.

Damon Brasch and Austin Vickers are two exemplary Phoenicians who are not only changing the standard for what we put in our bodies and how we justify those choices in our minds, but are capitalizing on it. Long live "Damon Magic." And may it spread to other cities in America soon.

M. Fitzpatrick, via the Internet

No comment: Eating a salad is vegicide. Save the carrots! Save the radishes!

Sedona Cornville, via the Internet

'CUE WITHOUT A CLUE

Bad experience at Stacy's: About the Cafe review of Stacy's ("Right on 'Cue," Michele Laudig, April 2), I loved Stacy Phipps' old restaurant and called him up to congratulate him on his reopening. He grunted a response. That was a preview of what was to come.

My friend and I went at noontime on a Saturday. The first thing I noticed was that his fried chicken, which used to be the best anywhere, was not available on Saturday. The brusque woman at the counter took my order grudgingly.

We ordered two pieces of catfish, rib tips, beef ribs, macaroni and cabbage. Forty minutes later, we were still waiting for our order. The rib tips were fatty and the meat on the beef ribs was tough as shoe leather. The catfish was virtually tasteless. Maybe I hit his place on a bad day, but it seems he has declined from running one of the best restaurants in Phoenix to running one of the most unpleasant and inedible rib shacks.Steve Ross, via the Internet

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